Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but well-loved poker variations. It’s a game that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites action from every level of players. This is the primary reason why a once irrelevant variation, has grown in popularity so quickly.
Omaha 8 or better begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. Four cards are given out to each player. A sequence of betting ensues where gamblers can bet, check, or drop out. Three cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. A further sequence of betting happens. Once all the gamblers have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. an additional sequence of betting follows and then the river card is revealed. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some players can get confused. Unlike Holdem, in which the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/low the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly two hole cards. No more, no less. Contrary to normal Omaha, there are 2 ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is just what it sounds like. It is the best hand out of every player’s, it doesn’t matter if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the very same approach in almost all poker games.
The lower hand is more complicated, but certainly free’s up the play. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. A low hand is the worst hand that can be put together, with the worst being made up of A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The low hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an eight and below. The low hand wins half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no low hand available, the high hand takes the entire pot.
It may seem complex at the start, following a few hands you will be able to get the fundamental subtleties of the game simply enough. Since you have people betting for the low and wagering for the high, and since such a large number of cards are in play, Omaha 8 or better provides an amazing array of wagering options and because you have several players shooting for the high, along with many shooting for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it is worth your time to compete in Omaha hi/low.
